A day of sand, nomads and Sahara sunsets
This 1 day motorcycle desert tour in Merzouga packs the best riding around the Erg Chebbi dunes into a single day, a one day motorbike tour in Merzouga for riders who want real sand. You ride a KTM 450 EXC on a loop of about 80 km, across the dunes to visit a nomad family in their tents, south to the Gnawa village of Khamlia, across the black stone desert, north to the seasonal Lake Srji and back to the dunes for sunset. A local guide rides with you all day, lunch is included, and we pick you up and drop you off at your hotel in Merzouga or Hassi Labied.
Why ride with us in Merzouga
Our KTMs are kept right here in Merzouga, so this one day motorcycle tour in Merzouga starts the moment you are ready, with no long transfer. The route mixes fast desert tracks, sandy riverbeds and real dune riding, and the guide adapts the pace and the dunes to your level. It is the easiest way to try a motorcycle tour in the Merzouga desert if you only have one day, or to add a day of riding to a longer trip. Our team has more than 16 years of experience in southern Morocco, so every track and lunch stop on this one day motorbike tour in Merzouga is chosen from long local knowledge.
Tour highlights
- Erg Chebbi DunesRide the edge of the tallest dunes in Morocco and climb a crest for sunset.
- KhamliaStop in the village famous for its Gnawa music.
- Black desertOpen the throttle on fast tracks across a plain of dark volcanic stone.
- Lake SrjiRide to the seasonal lake where flamingos sometimes stop after winter rains.
- Sandy riverbedsPractise riding in soft sand with your guide before the dunes.
- Nomad family visitCross the dunes to share tea with a nomad family in their tents on the other side.
Meet your motorcycle
Every rider gets a KTM 450 EXC from our own fleet, 2024 and 2025 models, kept and serviced here in Merzouga.
Why the KTM 450 EXC
It is a light, 450 cc enduro motorcycle with long-travel suspension, electric start and a 6-speed gearbox. It is built for exactly this kind of riding: loose gravel, rocky tracks, river crossings and sand.
Prepared for every tour
Each bike is serviced and checked by our mechanic before you ride, with fresh tyres and fuel included. Your guide carries tools for small repairs, and the bikes are inspected again when you return them.
Fuel included
Fuel is included in the price. The tank is filled before you leave, so you can enjoy the whole day without worrying about range.
Riding gear included
Your helmet, boots, gloves and body protection are included in the package, so you do not need to bring or buy any. Tell us your sizes when you book, and we will have the gear ready at pick-up.
Route map
This motorcycle tour in the Merzouga desert starts in the village and crosses the dunes to a nomad family camp on the far side, then rounds the southern tip of the dunes to Khamlia and west across the black desert. It turns north on sandy tracks to Lake Srji and Hassi Labied, and finishes in the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset before the drop-off at your hotel.
Your day, step by step
Here is how the 1 day motorcycle desert tour in Merzouga runs, from the morning pick-up to sunset in the dunes.
Morning: Pick-up and bike briefing
Warm-up ride
We pick you up at your hotel in Merzouga or Hassi Labied, or you can meet us at our base where the KTMs are kept. Your guide fits your helmet, boots and protection, checks the bike with you and explains the route and the riding signals. A short warm-up on hard sand near the village helps you get a feel for the KTM before the real tracks begin.
Mid-morning: Across the dunes to a nomad family
Dune crossing
The first real riding of the day takes you straight into the dunes. Your guide leads you across the sand to a nomad family camp on the other side of the dunes, where you take off your helmet, share a glass of tea in their tents and learn how families still live with their goats and camels at the edge of the Sahara.
Late morning: Khamlia and the black desert
Fast tracks and stony ground
From the nomad camp you ride south around the end of the dunes to Khamlia, a small village known for its Gnawa music (opens in a new tab). After a short stop you head west onto the black desert, a wide plain covered in dark volcanic stones, where long and fast tracks let you open the throttle. Your guide stops at the best viewpoints and checks that the pace suits everyone.
Midday: Lunch break
Rest
Lunch is served in a quiet spot out of the midday sun, with time to rest, drink water and talk about the afternoon route.
Afternoon: Lake Srji and Hassi Labied
Sandy tracks and riverbeds
The afternoon route turns north on sandy tracks and dry riverbeds, a good place to practise riding in soft sand. You reach Lake Srji, a seasonal lake that fills after winter rains and sometimes welcomes flamingos, then ride on to the village of Hassi Labied at the foot of the dunes.
Sunset: Erg Chebbi dunes
Dune riding
The day ends in the sand of Erg Chebbi (opens in a new tab), the tallest dunes in Morocco. Your guide picks the dunes to match your level, from gentle slopes to bigger climbs, and you stop on a crest to watch the sunset. After sunset we ride back and drop you off at your hotel.
Prices per rider
The more riders in your group, the lower the price per rider. Prices are per rider for the full day.
Every price includes
Prices may vary depending on travel dates.
What’s included and excluded
Included
- KTM 450 EXC (2024/2025) hire and fuel
- Riding gear: helmet, boots, gloves and protection
- English-speaking guide who rides with you
- Visit to a nomad family in their tents
- Lunch, bottled water, tea and snacks
- Pick-up and drop-off at your hotel in Merzouga or Hassi Labied
Excluded
- Accommodation
- Dinner and other drinks
- Travel and medical insurance
- Tips and gratuities
What riders say
We booked a one day tour on KTMs, and it was one of the best experiences of our lives. The guide was great and the pace was suitable for everyone. Motorcycles in perfect shape. Also a lot of gear, boots, helmets, body guards to choose so we feel really safe. It was worth every money spent.
Good to know before you ride
Riding level
You should be comfortable on a dirt bike, but you do not need to be an expert. The guide adapts the pace and picks the dunes to match your level, and the bigger dunes are always optional.
Licence and documents
Bring your passport and a valid motorcycle licence. We handle the bike paperwork at pick-up.
Riding gear
Helmet, boots, gloves and body protection are included, so just tell us your sizes when you book. You may want to bring your own goggles or a hydration pack. Mornings can be cold and afternoons are hot, so wear layers that are easy to remove.
Best time to ride
October to April and the cooler weeks of spring have the best temperatures for off-road riding in the south. In midsummer the midday heat is extreme, so we start earlier and take a longer lunch break.
Distance and driving
The 1 day motorbike desert tour in Merzouga covers about 80 km of riding, from the morning pick-up until after sunset. Sand and dune riding are slower than the distance suggests, so the one day motorcycle tour in Merzouga is never a rush. Pick-up and drop-off are at your hotel, so there is no transfer before or after the ride.
Currency & payments
The local currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Carry some cash for small purchases and tips, as few places around Merzouga take cards.
Tipping
Tipping is customary in Morocco. A general rule is 10% in restaurants and a lump sum for your guide at the end of the day.
Connectivity
Phone signal is weak in the black desert and between the dunes. Your guide always has a way to call for help.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the questions riders ask most before booking a one day motorcycle tour in Merzouga.
How much does the 1 day motorbike desert tour in Merzouga cost?
The price depends on the size of your group. Each rider in a group of 3 or more pays €300, each rider in a group of 2 pays €420, and a solo rider pays €540. All prices include the KTM 450 EXC, fuel, riding gear, lunch, the guide and hotel pick-up, and may vary with your travel dates. The pricing section above shows what is included.
Do we visit a nomad family on the one day motorbike tour in Merzouga?
Yes. Early in the day we cross the dunes to the tents of a nomad family who live on the far side of Erg Chebbi. You share tea with them and see how they live in the desert. To learn more about their way of life, read Berber Nomads (opens in a new tab).
Which motorcycles do you use on the motorcycle tour in the Merzouga desert?
We rent KTM 450 EXC motorcycles, 2024 and 2025 models, all prepared for off-road riding. Tell us your height and riding experience when you send your request, and we will confirm the bike and availability for your dates. See our guide to Morocco Motorcycle Tours (opens in a new tab).
Do I need experience for the 1 day motorcycle desert tour in Merzouga?
You should be comfortable on a dirt bike and able to ride for a few hours on tracks and sand. The guide adapts the route and the dunes to your level. If you have any doubts, message us before booking and we will give you honest advice. To know what to pack for the trip, read What to Wear in Morocco (opens in a new tab).
Is it safe to ride a motorcycle in Morocco?
Yes, on a guided ride you are never alone. Your local guide knows every track around Merzouga, carries tools and first aid, and keeps the pace safe for everyone. As anywhere, ride within your limits, keep your valuables with you in busy places and check your own government’s travel advice. You can also read Is Morocco Safe? What Travelers Should Know (opens in a new tab).
Can my partner join without riding?
Yes. On an off-road ride, passengers do not ride on the back of the bike. A non-riding partner can meet you for the sunset in the dunes, and we can arrange a camel ride or a 4×4 trip for them during the day. Ask us for the price.
What happens if my bike breaks down during the one day motorcycle tour in Merzouga?
Your guide handles small repairs on the spot. Merzouga is never far away, so if a bike cannot be fixed quickly, we bring a replacement from our base so you can continue the ride.
What is the best time of year for a motorcycle tour in Morocco?
October to April is the best season for off-road riding in the south. Summer days in Merzouga are very hot, often above 40°C, so in summer we start early and rest at midday, and winter mornings can be cold, so pack layers. Read more in Best Time to Visit Morocco (opens in a new tab).
How does payment work?
We ask for a 30% deposit to confirm your booking, and the remaining balance is paid on the day of the tour. Send us your dates and group size through the form on this page or on WhatsApp, and we will confirm the details for your dates.
Can you help me find a hotel or desert camp in Merzouga?
Yes. We can book a hotel in Merzouga or a night in our desert camp before or after your ride, with a private washroom and shower. Planning to see more of the region? Read Things to Do in Merzouga (opens in a new tab).
Ready to book this route?
We usually reply within 24 hours.